Reading seemed on course for their first Barclays Premier League win of the season after goals from Jimmy Kebe and Noel Hunt in the space of four second-half minutes.

They all count: Demba Ba shrugs off his second in front of Newcastle's fans

Make mine a double: Demba Ba hit two, making his goal tally for the season six goals from six games

Ba had equalised in between the two
Reading strikes with a magnificent volley and then stole a point for
Newcastle in controversial circumstances six minutes from time.

The Senegal striker went to meet
Shane Ferguson's cross with his head but missed it and the ball
deflected off his hand past the helpless Reading goalkeeper Alex
McCarthy. McDermott revealed that Newcastle manager Alan Pardew
acknowledged after the game it had been a handball and that Reading
deserved the win.

No consolation: Pardew (left) admitted that frustrated counterpart McDermott (right) should have won

'It is disappointing to say the
least,' McDermott said. 'I think every angle in the world shows it's a
handball. There is no doubt.

'We knew at the time on the bench
because the ball was going across the goal and he has put his arm out
and it has gone in the net.

'Whether it was deliberate or not, it's a nailed-on handball and in this league you need to get the big decisions right.

'It was pretty blatant that one. But he (the referee) hasn't seen it, what can I say

Thunderbolt: Demba Ba unleashes an unstoppable drive to make it one apiece

'You are not allowed to go in to see the referee until half past five. I will go in then and ask him (about the decision).

'He will probably say “sorry I missed it” and I am sure he will be when he sees it later.

'The fourth official said something
about not too many players appealing. The goalkeeper appealed straight
away but that is not what we are about, we don't want players jumping up
and down.

'(Pardew) said they were fortunate
to get the draw. It was handball. It makes you feel a lot worse. If they
score a great goal you can live with that.'

Jumping for joy: Jimmy Kebe (right) opened the scoring for Reading

Even when Newcastle had drawn level,
Reading had the chances to win but Jason Roberts was denied by an
excellent save from Steve Harper and Jobi McAnuff hit the post.

'When it got back to 2-2 we hit the
post and Robbo had a real good shot which the keeper has made a really
good save from,' McDermott said.

'We played on the front foot, with tempo and identity. With 33 games to play that is how we have to perform in this league.